“We’re really kind of boring.”

My parents celebrate their 30th anniversary this month. We’re having a party / family reunion this weekend; and in preparation I was recently quizzing them on their childhood and relationship history. At one point my mom suddenly burst out, “We’re really pretty boring!”

I laughed off that comment at the time, but later on I realized, “That’s what makes you guys remarkable.”

To clarify: being boring doesn’t mean they’ve been bored. Between running a business, raising five kids, and helping plant a church, boredom has difficulty existing.

But over all the years I’ve known my parents, they’ve been boringly consistent in matters of first importance — not through sheer willpower, but by God’s grace. Here are three particular areas that stand out to me.

Consistently Generous

“Do they really have to meet here again?” I remember my preteen self grumbling to my dad, referring to one of the many church-related meetings or practices at our house. My dad sort of shrugged and said, “It’s not really our house.”

And I think that attitude is what has enabled them to faithfully and joyfully give of their home, resources, and lives — this understanding that they are just stewards of these earthly belongings.

It’s not a matter of giving when it’s convenient or emotionally satisfying, but an open-handed lifestyle. My parents don’t just wait for opportunities to give to and serve others — they actively look for them, and they’ve done that for as long as I can remember.

Consistently Cheerful

One time at church my parents and I were standing in the hall laughing about . . . something (can’t remember what). An older gentleman walked by and gave us a strange look. A little while later, he came up to me and said, “You know, it’s really special to have a family that can honestly laugh together.”

I appreciate that my parents both have a good sense of humor and enjoy each other, family, and life. I appreciate that I can go to them to discuss a weighty matter and also to enjoy a good, lighthearted conversation. And that they still genuinely enjoy each others’ company after 30 years and 5 kids is wonderful to see.

Consistently United

My parents are very different people (opposite in several ways), and I know they don’t always agree. But they have always appeared united in matters of discipline and in laying down house rules. My brother Dan said it best when he said,

I see just how blessed we were to have parents that constantly shared their thoughts and feelings with each other. Even if [they] disagreed in how to discipline us, [they] wouldn’t display that division in front of us. In this way, [they] really modeled to me the dedication, love, and respect that a husband and wife should have for one another.

So happy anniversary to my parents, and here’s to another boring and blessed 30 years.